San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1887-09-15
VIII There BE a Called session Il,
Galveston News. I

A called session OF the Legislature
may be anticipated with some degree
of certainty. That disagreeable con
tingency should be accepted by the
governor and the people with forti-
tude, for in case of called session
the governor, by restricting legisla-
ton TO a minimum of subjects, can
relieve apprehension of any general
tinkering and pottering with the
laws. There is IN urgent demand
that taxes be reduced, and a measure
of relief of this character to DO effect
i've must be adopted before the col
lections are made on the assessments
of this year. According to the treas
ury report OF the fiscal year ending
August 81 the revenues nre shown to
be largely in excess of current ex-
penditures, while this surplus IS ex-
acted from the people during period
of great hardship in producing dis
tricts and the stringency in the mon
ey market. The revenues during the
past year exceeded expenditures Of
$4,000, increasing the balance to
SS82,000 Mt the close of the fiscal
year-the 31st of August. From the
revenue for the past year had been
paid large sums for extraordinary ex
penses, including 1919, 900 for defic-
fences in the appropriations of the
previous two years, 100000 for
drouth sufferers, and $102,500 ex-
penses of the legislature. 1t appears
that the expenses of the government
during the second year of the pres
ent administration will be less than
in the first year by at least S481, 900,
the aggregate of the extraordinary
expenses above mentioned. If the
revenue of one year, after meeting
the unusual expense of S4S1, 900, in
creases the cash balance of $4,000,
what will be the excess the second
year? 1t is apparent that the tax
payers will be required to contribute
half to three quarters of O million
dollars more than will be required
This would not be so undesirable if
the treasury were empty. Bnth bal
ance of nearly million dollars re,
mains idle in the treasury. From
the assessment rolls received up to
this time it is estimated that the tax
able values of the state will for 1887
have increased about twenty million
dollars, adding $4,000 to the gen
eral revenue. The revenue from oc.
cupation taxes is also increasing.
The appropriations for current ex-
penses, while ample, may it appears
be met, without reducing the revenue
balance, upon reduction of the rate
of taxation SO considerable as to
afford taxpayers sensible and timely
relief. Another measure appears to
be demanded Immediately by the ne
cessities of the public school depart
ment. At the close of the fiscal year
August 81, 1886, there was balance
of $175,000 of the available school
fund, but August 81, 1887, there is
nominal balance of only $1,000 and
outstanding claims against it largely
greater in amount. While this IS so
ilfscouraging and while the appor-
tionment for the current scholastic
year has been reduced, it is under
stood that balances aggregating near
about q million dollars of school
money remain unexpended in county
treasures and can not under the law,
Is construed by the attorney general,
be apportioned by the state school
board. While the general revenue
balance is increasing at the rate OF
100000 or more per annum the
schools are being starved or else
school money that should be avail
lble is boarded in county treasures,
die and useless. These aspects OF
jhe financial situation would Justify
,he governor in calling special SEES
sion, provided always that he has
in the Legislature. 1t may
De assumed that if no call is made it
will not be on account of the expense
If the session, some $25, or $780,
700, but because the Twentieth legis-
ature is distrusted. Another con-
;ideration is the condition of settlers
n Greer county. They are unable
inder existing laws to obtain titles
% their lands. 1t may seem unrea-
ionable to require more than exc!us-
We possession, which the governor
md land commissioner accord, upon |
he payment of rent at rate lower
han the interest would amount to |
IN sales, until the legislature meets
II regular session. Still these set
,lers are evidently discouraged and
alarmed on account of the refusal OF
he state authorities to sell the lands.
The large county is filling up, and Its
population must become an orderly
aw-abiding community of permanent
settlers or else disorder and violence
will prevail. At present the county
S organized, but the real estate can
lot be taxed and the county organ
zation may be abandoned when it is
ound that it cannot be supported.
These several inducements are sufli-
lent to Justify a special session,
renee the call may be expected any
lay.